Robert Mac Watson

Robert Mac Watson, Sr., the youngest of three boys, was born in Athens, GA., on February 10,1943 to the late Frances Elizabeth Scott and Rev. James Ollin Watson, Sr.   He entered his eternal life in Charleston, SC., on Thursday, August 12, 2010, after a courageous six-year battle with colon cancer. The family is deeply grateful for the dedicated support network of friends that daily shared this long journey. They would also like to thank Dr. James Ravenel, Dr. Telfair Parker, Dr. Robert Wall, Dr. Human Fong, Dr. Renan Uflacker, Dr. David Marshall and all of their staff for the wonderful care he received.  We especially want to thank Hospice of Charleston's Home staff team:  Rochelle, Sara, Gwen, and Greg for the caring support they gave to us.

Mac spent his childhood moving from one city to another as his father's pastorates necessitated.  He cherished the memories of family time spent with the Scott family in Union, SC.  By the time he was six, his father and mother were appointed to the foreign mission field by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention.   The family moved to Argentina and Paraguay.  Mac attended the American Community School in Buenos Aires, Argentina.   In 1961, he graduated from North Fulton High School in Atlanta, GA.

In 1966, Mac graduated from Furman University with a BS degree in Biology. While at Furman, Mac was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity, captain of the Furman University Soccer team for two years and named to the all conference Soccer team. At Furman, he met and married the love of his life, Harriette Anne Fitts of Charleston in 1966.

With his infectious smile and magnetic personality, Mac never met a stranger.  This quality served him well in his career moves. An avid outdoors man, Mac worked with the Army Corp of Engineers with assignments in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida training in their Reservoir Manager program.  He was  an outstanding insurance agent and District Agent with Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company for 8 years. After several years as a builder, Mac sold real estate with St John's Properties and Agent Owned Realty Charleston Group.

Mac was an active member of John's Island Presbyterian Church since 1986 where he was recently named elder emeritus.  He lived his faith daily whether he was singing in his beloved church choir or undergoing medical treatment.  Through his abiding faith, his life exhibited the true meaning of "It Is Well With My Soul". His greatest pleasure was enjoying God's gift of nature.

 Mac was predeceased by his mother and his stepmother, Lois Emfinger Watson. A dutiful son, caring brother, loving husband,wonderful father and proud grandfather, Mac is survived by his devoted wife, Harriette Anne Fitts Watson of Charleston,SC; sons and best friends Robert (Roby) Mac Watson, Jr. (Tammy) of Belmont, NC. and Scott Alan Watson of Greensboro, AL; grandsons Robert Mac Watson, III and Zachary Gray Watson of Belmont,.NC, Scott Alan Watson, Jr.of Greensboro, Al, and granddaughter, Brittany Henderson of Belmont, NC. Other survivors include his father, Rev. James O. Watson, Sr., of Columbia, SC ; two brothers, James O Watson, Jr. (Dinah) of Atlanta, GA  and William Scott Watson of Centreville, VA., father-in-law, Ralph R. Fitts,(Marie), two brothers-in-law, Ronald R. Fitts (Rett), Robert L. Fitts (Marsha), five aunts, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many devoted friends.

 The family will receive visitors from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 15, 2010 at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc.,West Ashley Chapel. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 16, 2010, at 11:00 a.m.at John's Island Presbyterian Church (family will receive visitors at 10:00 a.m.) with Rev. Jon Van Deventer officiating. Interment immediately following the service in the Church cemetery.   The family will receive friends at a reception in the church Fellowship Hall immediately after interment.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 5900 Core Road, No. Chas., SC 29404 or Johns Island Presbyterian Church, 2550 Bohicket Road, Johns Island, SC 29455.